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BSP Episode 430: The Abuse of Power – Sexual Assault

What follows is the original opening commentary for this episode as it was written by David and then read at the start of the show.

This is going to be a special, complicated episode of Back Seat Producers, so I wanted to take a few minutes and go over a few things you should keep in mind when listening to the episode. We’re going to be discussion the latest string of sexual assault allegations in the media, particularly concerning content producers and our what our role as allies and consumers of media should be.

To begin with, we’re going to be talking about a lot of rape, sexual assault, and sexual assault related issues. This is your warning that if those topics are going to cause you distress, you might want to skip this episode.

Secondly, I want to address a criticism of the episode before the episode even begins: our regular host set is 3 men and 1 woman. Our intention with this episode isn’t to solve the problem, and the hosts don’t represent the diversity required to have a meaningful discussion of the topic with any authority.

While we do it through most of our episodes, it’s not fair of us to expect Kayla to shoulder the burden of bringing legitimacy to how we feel about the subject as a woman – which isn’t to say that she doesn’t already do a great job of holding us accountable to things we say that are questionable. A when I say “not fair”, I mean simultaneously to her and to the broader community.

Instead, I think we can have a meaningful discussion on our role as media consumers when we hear allegations of this kind, simply because that topic doesn’t rob or silence any of the victims of their agency.

Third, personally, fall going into winter – middle November through late December – is the worst time of the year for me. I’m bi-polar and the lack of sun really triggers a lot of major depressive episodes for me. I’ve got a handle on it. The reason I’m bringing this up now is that I feel like the conversation is going to get really, really dark. This topic has been weighing on me for a few months now and I don’t want to talk about it. But I think it’s important.

I can’t tell you that the episode is going to get super dark. The notes I have examine some really rough topics, so I think it’s going to, but if you listen for a fun time, this isn’t going to be this episode.

Finally, again, I can’t speak for everyone around the table, but my thoughts on this subject aren’t complete. I’m a slow, plodding thinker when it comes to issues like this, and over the last couple of months (exacerbated by recent events) have challenged a lot of beliefs I’ve held about the subject. I’m approaching this discussion as a process, not a conclusion, much like I do with a lot of the movies we review, so a lot of my opinions on this subject are evolving.

Comments (3)

OK, so let’s take Kevin Spacey as an example. With these allegations, he is removed from his series. This kind of thing has happened before.

But what now? What can he do to earn a living? Can he be a garbageman? do you really want a sexual predator out there picking up your garbage? How can you support a company that would be so totally without ethics to employ a sexual predator?

Does he then turn into Jean Valjean, unable to work anywhere because nobody wants him around?